ECN achieves world-record efficiency for innovative solar module
Researchers of the Energy research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN) have achieved a premium conversion efficiency of 16.4% (aperture area) on a full-size solar module, a new world-record efficiency for photovoltaic modules with multicrystalline silicon solar cells. The previous world-record was held by Sandia National Laboratory (USA), at 15.5% aperture-area efficiency.(...) ECN has developed the new module design and manufacturing process based on a solar cell design with all contacts on the rear. ECN’s rear-contact technology is based on metallization wrap-through (MWT) solar cells which are interconnected in modules using conductive adhesives and a patterned conductive foil.